What a difference a year can make

This time last year I was in a holding pattern. We had been to adoption agencies and debating ivf. I spent the first quarter of 2008 losing weight in anticipation of beginning a cycle in early summer. I never could have imagined that the end of 2008 would be bring me the title of mother. And certainly not in the way it came about. I am simply overwhelmed that I now have a son. Most days, I am still thinking someone will wake me up from this dream realized.

For 2009, I pray that the babies born to those in the infertility community this year flourish, especially Robbie. And for those with continued longing, I want 2009 to be the year you bring your babies home.

Zachary's blog

can be found at Critter Tales.

We're home today

what a thrill it was to bring our little guy home. We have a new blog set up just for him and all of my baby issues will be there- url to come. This blog will remain for infertility issues.

Welcome Zachary William

Zachary William was born at 6:53 pm Central Standard Time, December 6, 2008, delivered by C section. He weighed 8 pounds 7.8 ounces, and is 21.5 inches long.

His name means "The Lord has remembered." And He has. We both feel truly blessed with our precious gift from God.

Mrs. Shoes is doing fairly well but still in a lot of pain. Perhaps you will get a new left handed post from her tomorrow if she feels well enough.

Frustrated

after 10 hours of pitocin, still no further dilation. they are going to run it until midnight and then turn it down until morning. I may get to eat a little something then.

Friday night

this is the first I have been able to type and it is left-handed. The day has been long and it is far from over. Went in at 7:30 and two nurses each tried twice to get in an iv. had to call in a specialist after four blown veins. my cervix was the same as yesterday. at 9:30 they put in cervadil, but had to pull it two hours later because I was having contractions of 6 mins in duration. Apparently, that is rare and not good for baby. With nothing else to try, they started the pitocin at 1:00 at a very low dose. it's 6 and still not in active labor. If I can get a little dilated, they will break my water. Tomorrow might be optimistic for baby. I am hungry.

Room at the Inn

There is a bed for us at the hospital so that is a promising start at least. I imagine it is going to be a long day given the state of my unfriendly cervix. I will try to update from there and DH will post a birth announcement when we finally get to that point.

Just call me Betsy Ross

because my vagina is feeling very patriotic these days- red, white and blue!

There was no change this morning despite hard contractions coming three to four minutes last night that prevented a second goo application. But this morning they were able to get in the other gel (white rather than blue) that goes directly on my cervix. Of course, this was after two cervical exams because the first nurse couldn't find any dilation at all despite a lot of digging around. This white gel caused no cramping or contractions and I had the easiest day of the week so far. I had a bit of bleeding in the afternoon so wondered if maybe it was some bloody show, but I think it was just irritation from the rather rough cervical gropings. And I was able to go back tonight for a second dose for the first time all week. This nurse had huge hands and I thought I was going to come off the table when she delved into my nether regions. But at least I had made some progress- about 75-80% effaced, 2 centimeters dilated and soft rather than firm. So my Bishop's score has gone from 4 to 6, need an 8.

Oh and the best part was the nurse tonight tells me I have my own supply of prostaglandins at home (wink, wink). It took me a minute, but then I realized to what she was alluding. And she explained the old wives' tale about that one is really true. Yes, after having my vagina assaulted five times today and having it bleed a bit and leak goo most of the day- I really want to have sex.

For any Grease 2 fans, I guess I should start humming, "Let's do it for our country, the red, white and the blue . . .

Stalled

The ol' cervix is not cooperating. I was able to get the gel this morning because I wasn't contracting. Unortunately, all of these contractions aren't leading to any progress- still only 1.5 cm dilated. This afternoon I have had the pretty constant contractions and if they don't settle down soon, I won't be able to get another gel treatment this evening. I don't mind the pain, I just wish it was causing something to happen.

My body is up to something

I went in for my first prostoglandin gel application this morning. before it began I was still only 1 centimeter dilated and 50 percent effaced. I had a really rough rest of the day, It felt like the worst crampy period ever, intermixed with some serious contractions. When I called to go back in for second application at 3, they were too busy, so I didn't go back in until 6:30 When i finally got hooked up, they couldn't do the gel this evening because I was having too many contractions- about 1 every two minutes or so per the monitor so they sent me home. I am still only 1-1.5 cm dilated but now 80 percent effaced. I feel slightly better in that I wasn't crazy in the afternoon- I was actually having painful contractions and it wasn't all in my head. I have to go back in the morning.